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Lough sets table as Orioles plate two (updated)

The Orioles look pretty aggressive on the bases for a team working on 17 minutes sleep.

David Lough collected his first hit as an Oriole with a one-out single in the first inning. He stole second and scored on Chris Davis' double to right field.

Adam Jones also came around from first base after drawing his second walk in four games. He had 25 last season, folks.

Lough went 0-for-4 and popped up a bunt attempt in the second game. He only cracked the lineup once at home because the Red Sox started two left-handers.

The stolen base is newsworthy, since Lough is expected to make up for Nate McLouth's departure as a free agent. Lough went 4-for-4 in spring training and now has the Orioles first steal of 2014.

Lough mentioned over the winter and again in Sarasota that he could swipe 30 bags with regular playing time. He was 26-for-30 with Triple-A Omaha in 2012 and stole six bases in eight attempts over parts of two seasons with the Royals.

It's been a process for Lough, who was 12-for-23 with Single-A Burlington in 2008.

Davis produced his first two RBIs, and they came on his second double in two games. He lined an 0-2 changeup from Anibal Sanchez into right field.

Another sign of the Orioles' surprisingly fresh legs came when Davis tagged and took third standing on Nelson Cruz's fly ball to left fielder Rajai Davis. The Orioles have done their homework. Davis doesn't have much of an arm.

Miguel Cabrera was stranded in the bottom of the first after singling off Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez. The Orioles have allowed at least one baserunner in 27 of 28 innings.

Nothing in the rules against a 1-2-3 inning, as far as I know.

Update: Lough just threw out Austin Jackson trying to stretch a single into a double in the third inning.

The Orioles liked Nate McLouth's defense, but he doesn't have Lough's arm.

OK, now for the bad stuff.

Gonzalez allowed three runs in the second. He hit two batters, threw a wild pitch and issued a walk. He couldn't command any of his pitches.

I haven't seen someone chase the plate like that since Sidney Ponson at the postgame spread.

Gonzalez hit four batters last season. He hit one in spring training this year and nailed two today.